04:51 AM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | News

As if there wasn't enough bad news in the form of profit warnings and unemployment, it looks like it hit Sony extra hard. Today the company announced their Q3 results, reporting losses of nearly 18 billion yen for the last quarter due to "factors such as the appreciation of the yen, deterioration of results at equity affiliates, slowdown of the global economy and intensified price competition, as well as the decline in the Japanese stock market."

That's a 95 percent drop from the profit recorded a year earlier.

As we heard before, Sony is going to cut 8,000 of its 185,000 jobs around the world, but it's likely that restructuring will continue as Sony is trying to combine their diverse businesses. Skimming through the IR presentation material didn't reveal any specific information regarding Sony's e-book business, which I assume is still too insignifcant in terms of revenue. It's also now part of the Sony Electronics devision which is responsible for all of Sony's U.S.-based electronics and entertainment businesses.

10:46 AM by hidari in E-Book General | News

Mr. Elgan of Computerworld makes a few points:

• Screw over customers waiting for new Kindles.
• Shaft publishers.
• Stay closed.
• Stay expensive.

Full article

01:06 PM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | News

Rumors are rife on the Internet that February 9th could be the date when Amazon unveils their much awaited Kindle 2.0. On that day, Amazon will hold an "important" press conference at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. AllThingsD reports:

Besides the where and when (10 a.m. at the Morgan Library in midtown), the company hasn’t provided any other details. But I’ll note that the last time Amazon (AMZN) held a New York press conference, in November 2007, it was to unveil Kindle 1.0.

Related: Kindle 2: Where are you? (poll)

[via Engadget]

05:41 PM by lunohod in More E-Book Readers | HanLin eBook

A new OpenInkpot snapshot has been released! Coolreader has been ported to OI and is included in this snapshot.

More here.

12:17 PM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | News

As one of the highest risk areas for earthquakes, Japan isn't taking any chances. Currently on display at the Toshima Post Office in Tokyo, pedestrians can wonder about a new e-paper display from Toppan Printing Co, measuring 1 x 3.2m with a 240 x 768 pixels resolution. Tech-On reports:

This experiment of displaying local disaster information on electronic papers was conducted by establishing a wireless communication network centered on an emergency center built inside Toshima Life and Industry Plaza. The aim of the test was to prove the effectiveness of the system as evacuation guidance for people who might not be able to return home in the event of a disaster.

If you happen to be around Tokyo and you want to see it, better hurry, because it'll be only displayed until January 29th.

11:54 AM by zelda_pinwheel in E-Book General | News

As reported here via Teleread, the American FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is soliciting comments about DRM technology.

Digital rights management (DRM) refers to technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content. Among other issues, the workshop will address the need to improve disclosures to consumers about DRM limitations. Interested parties may submit written comments or original research on this topic.

(...)

There is a web form on the official site where comments may be submitted. Ars Technica writes that citizens may also submit comments and requests electronically to drmtownhall@ftc.gov by January 30, 2009

This is a rare opportunity for consumers to speak up and make their opinions known about DRM and I hope that everyone will take full advantage of it!

Join the ongoing discussion in this thread, where some members have been kind enough to share the letters they wrote. Please take them as inspiration and write you own letter !

05:58 AM by TadW in E-Book General | News

Here is another statement from Plastic Logic that their e-reader won't be out before early 2010. Engadget:

If you've been waiting (and waiting) for Plastic Logic's ultra-durable e-reader, you'll have to stick with recycled paper for another dozen months or so. According to a company representative at the outfit's CES kiosk, the device is now scheduled for an "early 2010" release, and as expected, final pricing has yet to be determined. Though, Mr. Joe (seriously, that's his first name) did admit that it would be "competitively priced for rapid adoption" and that the company would be pushing hard to get this into corporations / enterprises.

Link to the video:

http://www.infoworld.com/video/index...tid=7052715001

05:42 AM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | Reading Recommendations

The Guardian has come up with a list of a dizzying number of books that should inspire and guide book-lovers of all tastes and ages.

Selected by the Guardian's Review team and a panel of expert judges, this list includes only novels – no memoirs, no short stories, no long poems – from any decade and in any language... Feel we've left off a crucial book? Email to us with your nomination and an explanation in no more than 150 words at review@guardian.co.uk, or post your submission to The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, by 4 February.

Divided by "soft" genre categories:

• Comedy
• Crime
• Family and Self
• Love
• Science fiction and fantasy
• State of the nation
• War and travel

[via Pat's Fantasy Hotlist]